Cast off with the Thomas Laighton for fun, festivities and exploration

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May 9, 2013 at 12:46 PMMay 9, 2013 at 2:10 PM

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PORTSMOUTH — Among the most enduring signs that summer lies just around the corner is the sight of the M/V Thomas Laighton plying its way around Portsmouth Harbor. And while residents and visitors alike associate the vessel with fun and exploration, the Thomas Laighton is also an exemplar of environmentalism in action.

The Thomas Laighton is the cruise ship of the Isle of Shoals Steamship Company, an iconic Seacoast institution. Having been in Portsmouth since 1962, the ISSCo. is truly part of the community. Originally founded as Viking Cruises by Arnold Whittaker, the Steamship Company is still in the family, having been passed along first to Bob, Arnold’s son and most recently, in 1999, to Arnold’s daughter-in-law, Robin Whittaker.

The company offers a variety of tours to New Hampshire’s historic Isles of Shoals and throughout Portsmouth Harbor and the Greater Piscataqua Region, and is thoroughly committed to preserving the amazing history and heritage of the Seacoast.

Beyond those iconic tours, the company also charters the famous Thomas Laighton “party ship,” where during the summer hundreds pack the vessel to hear the best in local music — everything from rock cover bands to reggae to DJs — all while taking in the crisp evening air of summertime on the Seacoast. The company anticipates offering three or four “party cruises” a week this summer.

Running mostly private events for the month of the May, ISSCo. offered its first public cruises on May, for a Cinco de Mayo event with a DJ, proceeds going to the Make A Wish Foundation, and, as part of Pro Portsmouth, on May 5, ISSCo. hosted a Children’s Day an event it does every year.

“On May 10, we’re doing a cool, local grassroots event called ‘Joe Young and Friends,’” says Rich Ryzman, the Steamship Company’s marketing manager. Joe Young is a local musical artist who won two Spotlight awards this year, one for best songwriter, the other for best song. He will be one of three different artists, each performing a live acoustic-music set on the vessel’s main deck. The event is a part of the Hit the Decks weekend in Portsmouth, a townwide celebration that Portsmouth has observed the last few years.

ISSCo.’s regular schedule begins June 22 with daily trips around the Isles of Shoals from Tuesday through Sunday. On Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, ISSCo. will also run Star Island walking tours, which take about an hour, an exploration of an area with a lot of history.

While the company has always been committed to all things local — they’ve routinely hired undergrads from UNH as interns, giving students with backgrounds in everything from business to recreation management to history real world experience — the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company is equally dedicated to greening its operations.

“We’re not just showing people these areas; we are also raising awareness about the different parts, as well as the marine inhabitants, of our seacoast. And we do so with a new and fresh view from the water,” says Ryzman. “Without a doubt, when people see these remarkable islands and the creatures that live in the surrounding waters, they will be more apt to make choices that will preserve them.”

Since this steamship company feels such a responsibility to its surroundings, it’s no surprise it continues to strive to be as eco-friendly as possible. The Thomas Laighton has filled with biodiesel from Simply Green, a Green Alliance business partner. The Green Alliance is a union of local sustainable businesses promoting environmentally sound business practices and a green co-op offering discounted green products and services to its members.

So in many ways, ISSCo. defies common stereotypes about big boats. “From the outside, we look like a gas-guzzling party boat,” says Ryzman. “People have this misconception. They think we use these massive engines that burn a lot of fuel. But we actually spend less money on gas per person than a smaller vessel would because of the biodiesel. Because we are primarily tour boats, we don’t drive fast — when we are going full bore it’s only 10 knots — so we don’t use a lot of fuel and we get help from the tides and currents.”

The Thomas Laighton will also begin using recyclable cups, “which is really going to reduce the amount of trash we waste. The one thing will be teaching our customers how to recycle cups and not throw them away,” says Ryzman.

Green Alliance members can buy one Thomas Laighton adult ticket and get a free ticket for one child, or buy one "Party Ship" ticket and get the second one free. Also, GA members can save 15 percent on private charter bookings.

For more information on The Isles of Shoals Steamship Company and for cruise tickets, visit www.islesofshoals.com. And for more information about the Green Alliance, visit www.greenalliance.biz.